So is it Roberto Shaw or Shawberto Carlos? Declan Rice and Harry Kane compare England left back to Brazil legend after his pair of assists in their Euro 2020 quarter-final demolition of Ukraine in Rome
England’s flying full back Luke Shaw has been likened to Brazil legend Roberto Carlos by team-mate Declan Rice after another impressive performance in the Euro 2020 victory against Ukraine.
Shaw, who also enjoyed a fine season with Manchester United, has become the Three Lions’ first-choice option in his position – and he has paid back Gareth Southgate’s faith at both ends of the field.
His latest marauding runs saw him pick up two more assists, this time in the 4-0 demolition job in Rome on Saturday night, and Rice has now jokingly given him the nickname ‘Roberto Shaw’.
England full back Luke Shaw has been likened to Roberto Carlos by team-mate Declan Rice
Shaw has starred with the Three Lions at Euro 2020 and picked up two assists against Ukraine
The clip, which was posted on England’s official Twitter page, shows the two players – and captain Harry Kane – making their way through their St George’s Park training base, with spirits still high.
After Rice revealed Shaw’s latest moniker, the humble former Southampton man tried to play down the comparisons by insisting ‘it’s just who’s in the box, isn’t it?’
He then admitted his superb figures are partly down to ‘H (Kane) always being in the box’, and the now in-form ace turned to the camera with a wry smile to call the left back ‘Shawberto’.
Brazil legend Carlos was renowned for his attacking ability, with Shaw now compared to him
Rice’s moniker for Shaw is ‘Roberto Shaw’, but the left back insisted the glory lies elsewhere
The titles given to Shaw may be overblown for comical value, but there can be no denying that the 25-year-old is in the midst of arguably the finest patch of form in his career so far.
A couple of inch-perfect deliveries from out wide allowed Harry Maguire, a club-mate at Old Trafford, and then Kane to plant home headers, with England romping home into the final four in style.
Shaw missed out on a start in the opening group stage fixture against Croatia, with Kieran Trippier favoured instead, but he has since made the hotly-contested spot his own and earned rave reviews in the process.
Rio Ferdinand heaped praise on his contribution, telling the BBC: ‘He’s had a real burst of form. This season he’s been fabulous, his delivery has been exquisite in this tournament and the timing of his runs.
Shaw (left) teed up Harry Kane (right) and Harry Maguire in the emphatic quarter-final victory
‘It comes from the pressure to win the ball back. He dives in where it’s dangerous defensively, he has bravery, execution from set pieces in vital moments of the game.
‘At times it comes down to maturity, down to footballing ability, so many more components make up a player. Being in the right place at the right time, having the right management, staff and players around you.’
Former England midfielder Frank Lampard, meanwhile, admitted he has been left impressed by Shaw’s turnaround over the last couple of years – following his injury issues, poor form and criticism from Jose Mourinho.
‘Something has clicked with him in the last 18 months,’ Lampard also told the BBC.
Maguire (right) is the latest player to have benefitted from an inch-perfect delivery from Shaw
‘Sometimes you can’t control injury stuff, he wasn’t in the best of shape. Now he can do what you want from him.’
Shaw’s swashbuckling displays are likely to see him handed a new contract at United, according to reports, because of his key role in their bid to win trophies.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that the extension is under consideration, despite him still having two years left to run on his current terms, as well as the option of a further year they can trigger.
